Multiple distributor valve



March ,1 E. F. WICHOREK MULTIPLE DISTRIBUTOR VALVE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 8, 1940 Marsh 1942- E. F. WICHOREK MULTIPLE DISTRIBUTOR VALVE Filed April 8, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 24, 1942.

E. F. WICHOREK MULTIPLE DISTRIBUTOR VALVE Filed April 8, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 53 f'zverar Mali"ch 1942' E. F. WICHOREK MULTIPLE DISTRIBUTOR VALVE Filed April 8, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 W ,2 W e j 6mm mum QMW Q wrU responsive devices;

sponding exhaust valves for discharging said de- Patented Mar. 24, 1942 MULTIPLE DISTRIBUTOR VALVE Edmund F. Wichorek, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to Pump Engineering Service Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application April 8, 1940, Serial No. 328,439

6 Claims. (Cl. 277-20) This invention relates to multiple distribution valve assemblies including an arrangement for operating the valves in a predetermined related sequence.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved multiple valve assembly capable of delivering fluid under pressure from a source of fluid pressure to a plurality of separate receivers or fluid responsive mechanisms in a predetermined related sequence. A further object is to provide an assembly of the above type effective to both deliver the fluid to and exhaust the fluid from a plurality of receivers or fluid responsive mechanisms in a predetermined related sequence.

Among the more specific objects is the provision of a novel, compact and efiicient disposition of independent inlet. and exhaust-valves in relation to a common motor driven control member for effecting the operation of the valves in a predetermined related sequence. A more specific object is the provision of such an arrangement including at least three inlet valves adapted to separately direct fluid to the receivers or fluid and at least three correvices, together with a single motor operated arcuately adjustable control member effective to open one of said inlet valves at a time. while the remaining inlet valves are maintained closed; and allowing the exhaust valve corresponding to said open inlet valve to'close while maintaining all of the remaining exhaust'valves open. A still more detailed object is the formation of the control member in a manner such as to efiect quick or instant closing of said inlet valves and the rela-' tively more gradual opening of these valves; as well as effecting the quickor instant closing and the more gradual opening of the corresponding exhaust valves. 7

Other and more specific objects, advantages and uses of my invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying.

drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is an axial section view of a plural valve assembly incorporating a preferred embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

. Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 1;;

ment of the functional parts bringing out to ,ad-

vantage the correlation and sequence of' operation of the valves.

Referring in greater detail to the figures of the drawings, the valve assembly proper indicated generally at I 0 includes a housing formed with a common inlet chamber H arranged to be placed in communication with a plurality of separate inlet passages or compartments l2a, {2b, l2c, l2d and l2e, leading to a plurality of independent pairs of outlet ports I 3a, l3a' to I3e, I3e inclusively, these ports in turn being adapted to deliver fluid pressure to individual fluid receivers or fluid responsive devices indicated schematically at 20a, 20a, to 20c, 206' in Fig.5, this delivery being under the control of inlet valves Ha, Mb, llc, Md, and Me, respectively.

Also a common exhaust chamber I5 is arranged to receive the return. exhaust from the outlet ports 13a, I 3a to He, I3e' inclusive under the control of exhaust valves Ilia to Hie inclusive. The respective sets of valves are provided Y with spaced opposed valve stems Ha to He and [8a to l8e inclusive, these stems being under the control -of a disc-like cam. control member interposed therebetween and indicated generally at I9. This control member is given a particular configuration including a novel arrangement of cams, dwells, and falls, and the valve stems are arranged with particular relation thereto for effecting the desiredv sequence of opera'tion as will be described in greater detail. For turning the control member at a predetermined speed of rotation there is connected thereto through. the medium of reduction gearing indicated generally at 2 I, an electric motor 22.

, Turning now to the detailed construction of control member l9 and the relation thereto of the valve stems, and referring particularly to Fig. 5, it will be seen that in the present embodiment control member I9 is formed on the upper side thereof with a cam portion l9a of substantially 20 degrees extent effective to open inlet valves Ma to Me inclusive in sequence as the cam is turned to the right, indicated by the arrow in Fig. 5. Cam portion 191; merges with Desitive dwell or raised portion l9b of substantially 52 degrees extent, efiective to maintain the successive inlet valves open for a predetermined period of time. The dwell portion l9b merges with an abrupt drop portion I90 which in turn merges with dormant or inactive portion 19d completely outof contact with the inlet valves and having an extent of about 288 degrees. The motor and reduction gearing are arranged to turn the cam member at a substantially constant speed of rotation such that the overall time between the beginning of the opening of any particular inlet valve and the closing thereof is about 6 seconds. This leaves 33 seconds during which each inlet valve is maintained closed, a period of one complete cycle of rotation of the cam member l9 being 40 seconds. Control member IS on the opposite side is formed for cooperation with exhaust valves I60. to Hie inclusive, and includes abrupt drop portion law effective to permit quick closin of each of the exhaust valves slightly prior to the beginning of opening movement of the associated inlet valve. Drop portion l9w merges with dormant portion I 9x effective to permit the exhaust valve to remain closed during the open position of the corresponding inlet valve, this being slightly more than 72 degrees or 6% seconds in extent.

It will be noted that there is a slight, though not appreciable overlapping of the inlet valve open position by the closed position of the exhaust valve. Merging with the dormant portion I92: is a cam portion leg effective to open the associated exhaust valve in slightly less than 20 degrees following the closure of the corresponding inlet valve. merges with cam portion Hg and is effective to maintain all but one of the exhaust valves in open position. From the above, it will be made to appear that a succeeding exhaust valve (proceeding from left to right in Fig. is caused to quickly close substantially simultaneously with the quick closing of the preceding inlet valve.

This is followed by the relatively less rapid opening of the exhaust valve corresponding to said preceding inlet valve and the relatively less rapid opening of the inlet valve corresponding to said succeeding exhaust valve.

I'have described above in detail the arrangement of one preferred embodiment of my invention including what is believed to be a new and improved sequence of operation of the valves by means of the novel construction and operation of control member l9. It will nevertheless be understood that certain of these features may be varied without departing from the broader as pects of my invention. For'example, the exact time of opening and closing of the valves and the number of the valves may be varied. The correlation between the operation of the inlet and exhaust valves may be varied without departing from the broader aspect of my invention. Other changes of a similar character will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

The source of pressure may be any readily available arrangementincluding pumping means. However the present valve assembly will work to particular advantage in an aircraft system wherein a single source of pressure is furnished A positive dwell portion lilz by an accumulator (not shown) maintained charged with fluid such as oil under a relatively high pressure.

Referring now more specifically to the novel details of construction of valve assembly 10, the

same is composed of a plurality of separable cast-' ings in general axial alignment. These castings are preferably of a light alloy such as aluminum particularly where the assembly is for use on aircraft. A first end casting or housing member 3| has mounted thereon in generally concentric relationship a first intermediate casting or housing member 32 which in turn carries a second intermediate casting or housing member, 33 upon which there is mounted in concentric relation an end closurecasting 'or housing member 3!,

these castings being fastened together by bolts 36 and 36a and having the usual sealing gaskets interposed therebetween. End housing member 3| is formed with a fluid pressure inlet port 31 communicating with inlet chamber H. Centrally, housing 3| is orificed at 39 for the passage therethrough of driveshaft II in turn joumalled at its outer end in anti-friction bearing 2 received in a recess 43 in the outer portion of closure member 3|. Intermediate housing 32 is formed with a plurality of circularly disposed valve seats a to e inclusive for cooperation with inlet valves Ha to He inclusive communicating with corresponding inlet' chambers l2a to l2e inclusive separated by rib-like 'walls or partitions 46a to 46c inclusive, only some of which are shown in Fig. 3.

Housing member 32 is formed centrally thereof with a recess 41 for the reception of anti-friction bearings 48 supporting the inner end of shaft ll on which in turn is mounted control member I9. Valve stems Ila to He inclusive and valve stems l8a to Hie inclusive extend inwardly into juxtaposed position with reference to control member l9 and are supported in identical bearing members 52, these valves being urged to closed position by identical springs 53 as well as by the inletpressure acting thereagainst. The secondintermediate housing member 33 is similarly formed with a corresponding number of exhaust valve seats 54a to 54c inclusive in juxtaposed relation to valve seats a to e and communicating therewith through passages 55a to 550 inclusive. These valves are similarly urged to closed position by means of identical springs 56 as well as by means of the pressure acting thereagainst. The exhaust valve stems I811 to l8e are likewise mounted in bearings 52 and extend into the path of cam control member 19. Each of the valves is provided with a facing material 59 of any well known character such as neoprene for improving the sealing characteristics. Exhaust chamber l5 may be connected with the atmosphere through outlet port 60.

The motor 22 may be connected with shaft H by any desired form of reduction gearing capable of producing the reduction required, the form shown being of a conventional type including a worm shaft 8| driven by motor 22 and connected through worm gears '62, 63, i4 and gears and 66.

It will thus appear that I-have provided a novel arrangement of pluralhousings, the same being fastened together in the manner described, supporting the inlet and outlet valves and the control cam member in relationship to one another to provide a construction that is both emcient in operation as well as being readily assembled and disassembled for purpose of maintenance. e

I consider my novel valve assemblyas having general application wherever there is found to exist conditions which are satisfied thereby, namely, wherever it is desired to successively deliver a single source of fluid pressure such as air under pressure. from a pump or accumulator to a plurality of separate fluid receivers or fluid actuated instrumentalities and exhaust fluid therefrom in a related sequence. I have found that my valve assembly has particular application to the aircraft problems of delivering air under pressure to the expansible de-icing shoes (not shown) carried on the leading surfaces of the craft. The control of the sequence, the sharp individual delivery, and the effective transition from delivery to-a first expansible shoe to delivery to a succeeding shoe make my arrangement of particular importance. Also of notable significance in aircraft application is the above pointed out compactness," resulting in making it possible to incorporate a large number of valves and the associated control member in a very small space.

While I disclosed my invention in connection with a certain specific embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that the same has a broad application, obvious changes being apparent to those skilled in the art and it is intended that my invention be defined by the appended claims which should be given a scope as broad as permitted by the prior art.

I claim:

1. In a multiple valve assembly including a valve housing formed with a common inlet chamber adapted to be placed in communication with a source of fluid pressure, and at least three separate compartments, an inlet valve associated with each compartment for admitting fluid fromsaid common inlet chamber to said compartment and an exhaust valve associated with each compartment for exhausting said fluid from said compartment to the atmosphere, each of said compartments having,at least one outlet port adapted to be connected to'an external fluid receiver, and means effective to operate toopen position in succession each of said inlet valves and to operate to closed position in succession each of said corresponding exhaust valves, said means comprising an arcuately adjustable d sc-like control member, said control member being disposed between said inlet valves and said exhaust valves and being formed on one side with a succession of cam, dwell, and drop portions for cooperation with said inlet valves for operating the same in a predetermined sequence and formed on the other side thereof with a succession of drop, dwell, and cam portions in opposed relation to said'above named cam, dwell and drop portions for operating said exhaust valves.

2. In a multiple valve assembly including a housing formed with a common fluid pressure inlet chamber and at least three separate distributing ports for delivering fluid pressure separately to a plurality of separate fluid receivers and exhausting the same therefrom in a predetermined order, means including a corresponding number of valves for admitting fluid from said common inlet chamber to said respective ports and acorresponding number of separately operable exhaust valves, one associated with each distributing port, and means effective to operate to open position in a predetermined order each to permit all but one of said inlet valves to remain closed at a particular time, said control member being formed on the opposite side thereof with an abrupt drop portion in substantially opposed relation to said first cam portion and efiective to permit the respective exhaust valves to move to closed position slightly prior to the opening of the corresponding inlet valves, said drop portion merging with a dormant dwell portion of an extent substantially commensurate with said raised portion on the opposite side oi said control member and efiective to allow the successive exhaust valves to remain closed during the time that the corresponding inlet valve is open, said dormant dwell portion merging with a cam portion in substantially opposed'rlation but slightly beyond said, drop portion on the opposite side of said control member, said cam portion being efiective to again open said exhaust valves, said cam portion merging with a positive raised portion extending throughout the remainder of said'control member and in turn merging with said first named drop portion, said positive raised portion being effective to maintain open all of the exhaust valves except the particular exhaust valve corresponding to the inlet valve currently being held open.

3. In a valve assembly adapted to charge and exhaust a plurality of receivers in succession, comprising a housing formed with a common fluid pressure inlet and a plurality of valve seats provided with inlet valves delivering to a plurality of corresponding separate compartments, a plurality of corresponding exhaust valve seats and valves received thereon cooperating with said compartments, each of said compartments havof said inlet valves and to operate to closed of said valves open during a predetermined arcuate travel of said control member, said raised portion merging with an abrupt drop portion efiective to permit the inlet valves to quickly close following cooperation with said raised portion, said drop portion merging with a dormant dwell portion extending over theremainder of said control member and merging with said first cam portion, said dwell portion being effective ing at least one outlet port adapted to be connected to an external fluid receiver, a disc-like control member formed with valve operating cam portions, raised portions, and dwell portions, said portions being disposed between said inlet and exhaust valves and being effective to simultaneously open one inlet valve at a time and to close the corresponding exhaust valve, the remaining inlet valves being maintained closed and the remaining exhaust valves being maintained open for a predetermined fraction of the rotation of said control member, then being effective to cause quick closure of said inlet valve while opening the succeeding inlet valve, said exhaust valve being opened and the succeeding exhaust valve being caused to quickly close.

4. In a distributing and exhaust valve assembly adapted to supply fluid to and discharge'fluid fromthree or more separate fluid pressure actuated instrumentalities in sequence comprising means defining a valve housing with a common inlet, means defining a plurality of compartments in said housing, each formed with an inlet valve seat and an exhaust valve seat in communication therewith, an inlet valve and an exhaust valve in cooperation with said respective seats, and a rotatable disc-like valve actuator disposed between the efiective to control said respective inlet and exhaust valves in a predetermined sequence, said actuator being formed on one'side with a first cam portion effective to successively open each of said inlet valves, said cam portion merging with a positive raised portioneffective to maintain each of said inlet valves open for a predetermined fraction of the total arcuate movement of said actuator, said fraction not being greater than one over the number of inlet valves, said actuator being formed on the other side thereof with an abrupt drop portion in subraised portion efiective stantial juxtaposed relation to said cam portion eil'ective to cause a particular exhaust valve to be quickly closed slightly prior to the opening of the corresponding inlet valve, said abrupt drop portion merging with a dormant dwell portion of an extent substantially equal to that 01' the opposed positive raised portion and effective to allow said exhaust valve to remain closed during the open position of the corresponding inlet valve, said dormant portion merging with-a cam portion effective to open said exhaust valves, said cam portion in turnioining with a positive Qmaintain all but one of said exhaust valves open.

5. In a casting assembly making up a housing for a plurality of inlet and exhaust valves, a first closure casting formed with a common inlet chamber, a first intermediate casting formed with a plurality of circularly disposed inlet valve seats communicating on one side with said common inlet chamber and on the other side with a corresponding number of separate compartments likewise formed in said first intermediate casting,

said last named casting being iurther formed with at least one outlet port adapted to communicate each of said compartments with a separate fluid actuated instrumentality, a second intermediate casting formed with a plurality of exhaust valve seats corresponding in number to said inlet valve seats and positioned in opposed relation thereto, said two intermediate castings each being formed with separate complementarily located passages placing said corresponding inlet and exhaust valve seats in communication, a second closure casting formed with an exhaust port in communication with said exhaust valve seats and adapted to deliver to the atmosphere and means forfastening said castings together in assembled relation.

6. The arrangement of castings defined in claim 5, wherein at least one or said intermediate castings is axially recessed centrally oi. said valve seats to adapt the same for the'reception of a disc-like valve control member between said two intermediate castings.

EDMUND F. WICHOREK. 

